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Girls of Summer Put a Little ‘BOUNCE’ in Their Walk-A-Thon

April 13, 2010-Houston-

More than a hundred participants, including middle-school minority girls and their parents, are expected to lace up their sneakers for a mile-long walk-a-thon in Houston's historic East End in support of healthy food and physical activity choices.

The BOUNCE Walk-A-Thon and Food Demonstration takes place from 10 a.m. to noon, Saturday, April 24 at Mason Park in Houston's East End. The event is free and open to the public.

BOUNCE, Behavior Opportunities Uniting Nutrition Counseling and Exercise, brings adolescent minority girls and their parents together to encourage them to make healthy lifestyle choices, maintain positive self-esteem and promote goal-setting. Each activity is guided by certified experts in nutrition and fitness.

"Our purpose with the walk-a-thon is to offer BOUNCE girls an opportunity to practice what they have learned in the summer camps," said Norma Olvera, University of Houston professor and director of the BOUNCE camp. "We want to empower girls to lead efforts to promote healthy eating and exercise in their communities."

Walk-a-thon-day activities will include a stretching session, led by the girls of BOUNCE, followed by a 1.3 mile walk around Mason Park. The girls will then demonstrate what they've learned in the summer camps by making tasty and healthy snacks such as mini-muffins, tail mix, fruit salads and popcorn.

Participants may register at the event. For more information, visit http://bounce.uh.edu or contact Jensine Norman or Stephanie Kellam at 713-743-9848.